The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) concluded its participation in the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, held from December 5 to 14 in Historic Jeddah, with a broad and impactful presence, including several engagements that attracted significant interest from filmmakers and film enthusiasts worldwide who explored the Fund’s pavilion, participated in its workshop and panel discussion, and joined the Cultural Financing Reception, hosted by the fund in collaboration with the Festival and Jeddah Historic District Program.
One of the Fund’s most prominent contributions was its sponsorship of the Red Sea Souk, which served as a platform to connect local and international filmmakers and industry leaders, giving them the opportunity to showcase their outstanding projects and connect with prominent industry leaders and experts, both internationally and locally, to foster the growth of the Kingdom's film sector. This sponsorship marked the Fund’s third consecutive year supporting the festival, underscoring its commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that promote the sustainability of the cultural sector.
The Fund had a remarkable participation in the Red Sea Souk, with its main pavilion welcoming visitors from around the world and showcasing its financial and developmental solutions that contribute to the sustainability of creativity and the growth of cultural projects. To further engage with filmmakers, the Fund participated in various market activities, including a workshop titled “Cultural Financing for the Film Industry,” highlighting the Cultural Financing’s role in supporting the growth and expansion of film projects across the entire value chain. Additionally, the Fund took part in a panel discussion titled “New Horizons: Collaborating with the Saudi Film Industry,” with notable participation of key industry players in the film ecosystem, discussing the fundamental elements of Saudi cinema, the role of the Cultural Development Fund in enhancing it, and the solutions it offers to empower the growth of cinematic projects.
The Fund also hosted the Cultural Financing Reception, attended by more than 200 local and international cultural creators. During the event, the Fund signed eight credit facility agreements under the Cultural Financing program with leading companies across five cultural sectors: museums, music, cultural festivals and events, culinary arts, and films, with a total funding value exceeding SAR 95 million. The reception also featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Red Sea Film Foundation for joint financing of film projects, as well as a celebration recognizing four film industry creatives in Below-The-Line (BTL) filmmaking in the Studio awards presented by Studio Production Training company (SPT)—one of the projects supported by the Fund.
In support of creativity and creators, the Fund collaborated with several prominent Saudi artists in their respective fields. This included the Saudi Chef Nawal AlKhalawi, who designed innovative cultural tasting experiences inspired by Saudi culinary arts for both visitors to the Fund's pavilion and guests of the Cultural Financing Reception, as well as the visual artist Lulwah Al-Hamoud, whose artwork titled Development was featured in commemorative gifts symbolizing the Fund’s role in empowering the sector and amplifying its impact. The Fund also partnered with the TeamLab Borderless Museum, where it hosted guests of the Cultural Financing Reception and took them on an artistic tour to enjoy the museum's light-based artworks. These collaborations reflect the Fund’s ongoing commitment to artistic partnerships with cultural creators, supporting their creativity and helping their stories reach even broader audiences.
